ADDKESS 



OF THE 



NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC 



VOLUNTEERS. 




Ml^.DE=LOI3:, I860. 



HEADQUARTERS : 

722 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK. 

1860. 



^m^mxitxB ftatbtral Jgwiwrratir fflolmduxB, 

722 BROADWAY. 

New-York, March 10, 1860. 
Fellow Citizens : 

In all nations in the excitement engendered by political 
animosities men are apt to be influenced by the dictates of 
party, rather than guided by the true principles of government, 
and by their exertions for personal success or the triumph of 
some pet theory they steadily undermine the institutions they 
are most desirous of maintaining. 

In such cases it becomes the duty of good citizens to impress 
on the public mind a more calm and deliberative consideration 
of public policy and principles of action, and by an active par- 
ticipation in the contests of public life, endeavor to check the 
spirit of innovation which triumphs only at the expense of ex- 
isting institutions. 

We have reached a crisis in political affairs that demands 
the serious attention of every national man in the community. 

The public mind agitated by the violence of political discus- 
sions ; States forgetting their mutual obligations, openly vio- 
lating the federal compact and setting congressional enactments 
at defiance ; disunion fulminated by a partisan press, pro- 
claimed from the pulpit and boldly advocated in the halls of 
Congress ; the peaceful soil of a sister State invaded by armed 



men, incited to the wildest excesses by the dangerous teach- 
ings of a false philanthropy ; doctrines tending to sow discord 
among us and destroy the social fabric itself, indorsed by men 
to whom we have entrusted the welfare of the nation. 

These are but a few of the necessary results of a rabid fana- 
ticism, that loses the substance in grasping the shadow. 

Impressed with the necessity of immediate action to avert 
tli<' dangers that threaten our political existence as a nation, 
desirous of exerting our influence in favor of right and law, 
wishing to see peace and harmony restored and the Constitution 
strictly adhered to, we, members of the democratic party, have 
associated together for the dissemination and support of doc- 
trines best calculated to produce this most desired effect. 

We believe all power emanates from God, by whom it is en- 
trusted to individuals and communities to be exercised by them 
for the general welfare. 

We believe every citizen, native or adopted, is fully entitled 
to the protection of the government in the enjoyment of life, 
liberty and property. 

Though we cheerfully submit to the will of the majority, we 
cannot forget, that the minority have rights which should be 
protected. Th^w-itl of the majority to be just must be reason- 
able. 

We regard the States as sovereign in the control and man- 
agement of their own affairs, except so far as they are restricted 
by the Constitution. 

We regard the several States, so far as relates to their asso- 
ciate rights and powers in the Union, in all respects upon an 
exact equality. 



As the Union was the result of mutual concessions for the 
general welfare, we regard all compromises and conditions on 
the part of the States as obligatory upon their legislatures and 
magistrates, and binding upon- the conscience of the people. 

The States are entitled to the protection of the Federal Gov- 
ernment in the enjoyment of their respective rights, and each 
State is bound to prevent the forcible invasion of a sister State, 
and punish those participating therein. 

But while we recognize the sovereignty of the States in their 
proper spheres, we condemn as a violation of the Federal com- 
pact, any action on their part tending to defeat the execution 
of any of the provisions of the Constitution, or render nugatory 
the laws of Congress. 

The act for the reclaiming of fugitive slaves being designed 
to carry out an express provision of the Constitution cannot, 
with fidelity, be repealed or in any way impaired. 

We condemn and repudiate as a sophistry and delusion, the 
doctrine that there is an irrepressible conflict between the 
Northern or Southern States of the Union, which can only be 
determined by the subversion of one or the other of their do- 
mestic institutions. 



Eecognizing the Constitution as the " Charter of our Rights," 
and sensible of the blessings it has conferred upon us, we cheer- 
fully submit to its requirements, and the laws made in pursuance 
thereof, as the supreme law of the land. 

We regard the general government as a government of lim- 
ited powers, specially delegated in the Constitution, and we 
believe the powers therein conferred are amply sufficient to 
carry into effect the intentions of its founders. 



6 

We deprecate the exercise of doubtful powers not specially 
designated as both inexpedient and dangerous. 

We adhere to the counsels of Jefferson in recommending 
" peace, commerce, and friendship with all nations, entangling 
alliances with none." 

While we consider it at present inexpedient and unnecessary 
to extend our dominion by the acquisition of further territory, 
we condemn any action on the part of the government, by 
treaty or otherwise, which should restrain us from doing so, 
should the safety and welfare of the nation require it. 

We adhere to those true principles of our democratic faith, that 
no more revenue ought to be raised than is actually required 
to defray the necessary expenses of government ; that it is the 
duty of each branch of government to practice the most rigid 
economy in conducting public affairs ; and that these and 
every other proper means should be adopted and enforced for 
the gradual but speedy extinction of the national debt. 

The Territories being the common property of the Union 
should be open alike to all. 

The powers of Congress being particularly designated, we 
condemn any interference on its part in the domestic affairs of 
Stales -r^S^g^^Y believing that legislation should be strictly 
confined to the performance of the duties assigned it in the 
Constitution. 

We view with respect the admirable foresight of the founders 
of our government in separating the various departments and 
assigning them their respective spheres. 

By the establishment of an independent judiciary, supreme in 
its own department, they have erected a barrier against the 
abuse of power and the tyranny of faction. 



Elevated above the contentions of party, unbiassed by preju- 
dice, and uninfluenced by local attachments, the Supreme Court, 
as the expounder of the supreme law of the land, stands be- 
tween the General government and the States, checking- the 
encroachments of the one party and rebuking assumptions of 
power by the other. 

As the expounder of the Constitution we yield obedience to 
its decisions on all questions coming within its jurisdiction. 

In the character of its judges, the wisdom of its decisions, and 
the firmness with which it has maintained its exalted position 
amidst the changes around it, we have the best guaranty for 
the preservation of that greatest blessing of civil liberty, 
security under the law. 

We view with regret any action on the part of States or in- 
dividuals, tending to abridge its powers or lessen its influence, 
believing with Story, that " if the Constitution ever perishes 
it will be when the judiciary shall have become feeble and 
inert, and either unwilling or unable to perform the solemn 
duties imposed upon it by the original structure of the govern- 
ment." 

Let us then submit to this national tribunal the disposal of 
those perplexing questions that properly belong to its jurisdic- 
tion, and that have already engrossed so much of the public 
attention to the detriment of our national interests. 

Why any longer disturb the peace of the nation by useless 
discussions on Congressional and Territorial powers, which can 
only be properly and finally determined by an honest submis- 
sion to the decision of that great arbiter, the Constitution has 
so wisely provided for us ? 

Is it right that in order to secure the success of an opinion 



8 

or the triumph of a party, we should peril the existence of the 
Union and jeopardize the happiness of millions ? 

How long are we to continue in our midst that spirit of dis- 
uniou that fanaticism has evoked, which would never have in- 
truded itself into our political contests if those who called it 
into life had been faithful to the teachings of the Constitution, 
and attentive to there own State affairs ? 

Let us unite, in the coming contest, to re-establish peace and 
harmony in the nation ; restore a confidence, too readily de- 
stroyed, and maintain inviolate the rights of each individual 
member of our noble Union. 

Though we may differ on questions of finance, questions of 
commerce and other issues of the day, we cannot differ as to the 
value of the Union, the blessings it has conferred upon us, nor 
in the desire to transmit, inviolate, the liberty we enjoy to 
those who are yet to take our places in the march of nations. 

Let us bury our local prejudices, forget our past differences of 
opinion, and unite in the support of those principles, upon the 
success of which depends the perpetuity of our institutions. 

We invite the co-operation of all national men in the coming 
contest, that standing side by side in the ranks of the Demo- 
cratic party, we may struggle manfully for the preservation of 
the Union and the supremacy of the law. 

JOHN FARRELL, 
T. LUBEY, ) President. 

y 



E. J. M'GEAN, f fo^to* Secretaries. 



John W. Oliver, Printer, 43 Ann-Street, New-York. 



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